Each year that passes the older Wisdens do naturally become rarer, especially pre 1900 editions and a number from the early twentieth century (1916 and 1919 to name two). With original print runs being as low as 250 for a single edition it is no surprise that the law of supply and demand takes over.

It is also sad and that word is used deliberately that with the uncertainty in stock markets since 2007 the canny investor is looking for something more than what his or her broker is eager to float their way. The number of buyers entering the market to purchase purely as an investment has grown alarmingly

It is also certain that as more and more local libraries are forced to close lots of books, possibly Wisdens included, will find their way onto the market or probably even discarded as an old cricket book that no one ever took out

So any collection that includes the rarer ones will over the course of time, grow in value and if Wisden prices over the past four years are anything to go by, this rise is certainly above the rate of inflation.